Steel Rain

“Rainbow, would you please get off?”

“Hay no!”

Upon hearing that John was about to leave, Rainbow took it upon herself to crash-tackle him, gear and all, to the floor.

“And why not?”

“You are NOT going to go get hurt again just so you can go find some thing that magically appeared out of thin air!”

John sighed. “Okay, a couple of things. One, how, pray tell, am I going to get hurt again? Two, it’s a person, or people; not a thing. Three, NEVER tackle me when I am holding a loaded weapon.”

Shining Armor spoke up from across the room. I would also appreciate it if you didn’t break my guards. Especially that one,” he jabbed a hoof in John’s direction, “because it’d be pretty hard to replace him. Even though he’s doing a pretty good job of it himself.” Shining muttered under his breath, drawing a quick chuckle from the bat pony.

Rainbow pouted and crossed her fetlocks across her chest. “Well, you could get attacked by the ‘person’ and/or ‘people’ you’re so intent on going to find.” She then poked and scoffed at the rifle in John’s hand. “You call this thing a weapon? It looks like a fancy club! I bet that thing coul-“ her words fell short as John clapped his free hand over her muzzle.

John glared at the mare sitting on his chest. “I’m being dead serious, Rainbow! It’s a gun, remember? I told you about them while I was in the hospital. If you still don’t believe me, go find Rumbler and ask him about it. He’s one of the guards that was in the market when I got there.”

Rainbow tried to push his hand off her mouth, but he held firm. “Furthermore, they won’t attack me, they’re friendlies.”

This time, Luna spoke up, a hint of skepticism in her voice. “How do you know?”

John patted the pocket on his vest containing the radio. “That little box you saw me talking on is called a radio. It let’s me communicate with people far away.”

Luna cocked an eyebrow. “So, thou art saying, you just held a conversation… With another being of your species… That has just come through a Gate? Surely you jest.”

“Nope, not joking, and you would be correct.” John turned his head to a better angle and threw the Princess a quizzical look. “Are you ok, ma-am? You’re speech seems to be a bit… off.”

Luna huffed and rolled her eyes. “We- I, have been taking speech lessons as of late. With everything that is occurring, it is difficult to remember our lessons.” John tried to remove Rainbow from his abdomen, but she wouldn’t budge. “Miss Dash?”

“Mrfh-” The rainbow-maned Pegasus shot a glare at John, who removed his hand from her muzzle. “Yes, Princess?”

“If you wish, you may accompany us on our endeavor, if it is agreeable with the Lieutenant.”

Rainbow thought hard for a moment. “...... Fine.” With that, she jumped off of John’s chest and trotted out of the room.

John rubbed his chest. “Don’t I get a say in this? The Princess said-“

He was cut off as a “Nope” was heard from out in the hallway.

He sighed and got up, retrieving his rifle from the floor, and sat on the edge of the bed next to Cloudburst, who had remained silent throughout the entire ordeal.

“Alright, I’m gonna be gone for a bit. Do you think you can find something to do until I get back?”

The colt nodded. “I-is it ok if I stay here for a little bit?”

“Sure, stay as long as you want. If you need anything, you have my full permission to bug Corporals Lightning or Star until they get it for you.”

“Ok.” Cloudburst giggled as John ruffled his mane and stood up.

He was about to leave, but instead turned around and grabbed the second radio out of the chest before walking out the door.

John was sitting on a bench inside the airship as it rumbled its way toward the Whitetail Woods, where the Gate had opened.

He wasn’t alone though. Across from him sat a rather disgruntled Rainbow Dash (who hadn’t let him leave her sight after they left the station), and Captain Armor, as well as a small squad of Lunar Knights, were all seated on the other side of the small dividing wall that ran down the middle of the main cabin. He didn't know why they were all staying away, but he figured it had something to do with the mare that was with him.

Other than the low droning of the propellers, the flight had been rather quiet. So, naturally, everyone's head turned when Luna stepped out of the cockpit where she had been helping navigate.

"We have come to inform you that we shall arrive at our destination within the next quarter-hour."

Upon hearing the ETA, John stood and made his way to the front of the cabin, where he could be seen by the ponies on both sides of the wall. "If the Princess has no objections, I will be assuming command of this operation."

The Princess cocked an eyebrow, but relented. "By your assertiveness to take command, I assume that you have already concocted a plan-of-action?"

"Yes ma-am, I have. But before we do anything, I'm going to contact Cobra and let them know we're coming." He pulled the two radios out of his vest and held one out to Luna, who grabbed it with her magic and proceeded to examine it. Making sure he was on the right channel, he pressed the transmit button. "Cobra-Actual, Hunter 1-1."

"Send it, Hunter. Good to hear from you again."

"Likewise, Actual. ETA is one-five mikes. Airship is friendly, Do-Not fire on the airship."

"Uhhh, copy, ETA fifteen minutes... Can you define 'airship'?"

John chuckled to himself. "A pirate ship hooked up to a huge-ass balloon." There was a long pause before the radio crackled to life again.

"... If we hadn't popped up next to a damned forest after flying over the sandbox, I'd be inclined to turn this radio off... We're not in Kansas anymore, are we?"

"That's a Negative." Another pause.

"... Alright, well, I hope you have some answers."

"I do. I'll explain when I get there."

"*sigh* Copy, Actual Out."

Looking up, John noticed that most of the ponies in the cabin were giving him curious looks. "Alright, here's the plan: We'll land this thing and I'll go out and make contact, alone," he shot a glance at Rainbow Dash, who reciprocated with a fierce glare, "and explain the situation. They're already under a lot of stress, no need to add to it until they're ready for it. Once that's done, I'll persuade them to relinquish their weapons, and Princess Luna will come out to prove that I'm not crazy and answer any questions." He gestured at the radio that Luna was holding. "I will keep in contact through this radio. Do NOT do anything until I say so. Questions?"

Shining Armor raised a hoof. "I got one. What happens if things go south?"

John sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "If the shit hits the fan, You are to get the Princess out of here, no matter what. I'll do what I can from the ground, but don't wait around for me. And, for the love of God, under no circumstances are you to engage any threats, unless you want to be full of holes. Anything else?"

One of the knights spoke up. “Do we know how many there are? And what kind of weaponry they have?”

“Unfortunately, no, we don’t. I’m going to assume it’s a small squad of around thirteen men, maybe more. As for weapons… You all saw my M4, right?” Most of the ponies in the cabin nodded. “Well, imagine thirteen of those, all handled by men trained to use them.” John thought it would be a good idea to leave out the fact that there would probably be at least one light machine gunner and marksman thrown in there as well. Regardless, a few of the knights visibly paled.

When a call from the cockpit notified everyone that they were only a few minutes away from landing, John went to direct the pilot to a good place to land when they got close.

The cockpit was rather spacious and resembled that of an old-timey steam ship with a large panoramic window in the front. There were stations for a helmsman, navigator, spotter, and weapons officer scattered throughout the room, as well as a captain’s chair right smack-dab in the middle.

After a quick word with the Captain, he made his way to the helmsman and waited for their destination to come into view.

It didn’t take long for the vast expanse of trees to dwindle down into a large empty field, where John clapped eyes onto something that definitely didn’t belong. Sitting just outside the edge of the forest was a steel-grey MH-60M Blackhawk helicopter, complete with its very own contingent of heavily armed guards forming a perimeter around it.

“Hunter, this is Cobra-Actual. We, uh, have a visual on the, um... airship. Jesus, you weren’t kidding about that thing.”

Pointing to a spot about fifty meters away from the helicopter, John motioned for the helmsman to land. “Copy, Actual. I have a visual on your bird as well. I’ll be with you as soon as we touch down.”

Making his way to the main cabin, he checked his gear and then stood by one of the sliding doors on the side of the airship, where he was met by Rainbow Dash.

After a moment of silence, Rainbow spoke up, a hint of worry in her voice. “Just... Be careful, will ya?”

John looked down at the Pegasus and smiled. “I’ll be fine Dash. I’m just going to go say hi to some friends. Nothing to worry about.”

“Yeah, well, the Doc will have my flank if you break something.”

With a resounding thud, the ship touched down and John threw open the door, turning around and shutting it again as soon as he stepped out. As he walked toward the Blackhawk, he could see three of the men standing around the helicopter break their formation and make their way to intercept him.

From the color and pattern of their uniform, a digital mix of browns and tans, John could tell that they were Marines... and they were on edge.

When they were only a few paces away from each other, the Marines stopped and raised their rifles.

“STEEL!” One of the Marines shouted at John, who had tightened his grip on his own rifle.

“BEAST!” He returned the counter-phrase and the soldiers lowered their weapons and continued forward.

Upon meeting, one of the Marines stepped forward and held out a hand. “2nd Lieutenant Phillips. USMC. Cobra-Actual.”

John let his rifle hang from its sling as he returned the handshake. “1st Lieutenant Killinger. Air Force. Hunter 1-1.”

The two other Marines looked at each other in astonishment. “Aquila!? Well shit, never thought I’d see you again.” The one that spoke quickly stepped up and shook John’s hand rather vigorously.

John raised an eyebrow. “Um, have we met?”

The Marine shaking his hand looked crestfallen. “Damn. Man, I told you he wouldn’t remember us.”

“Yeah, well, he’s probably got more important shit to worry about than remembering our sorry asses.” The remaining Marine, who looked a lot older than the other two, strode over and pushed the younger one away. “Sorry about Rockstar, sir. His pants are on too tight.”

“Are not.” The younger Marine pouted.

“Sergeant Major Fredricks, but you can just call me ‘Pops’. A lot of the men have rotated out, but we’re the guys you and your buddy pulled out of the fire awhile back. I believe we still owe you that beer.”

In an instant, everything clicked into place in John’s memory. The squad of Marines that he and James had rescued, the same ones that gave them their callsigns, had somehow managed to find their way into a Gate. It had been over a year ago, but he still remembered that day as if it were yesterday... after being reminded, of course.

A large smile spread across his face. “My God, it is you guys. Jesus, as if the first time wasn’t enough, now I gotta save your asses again.” This brought a hearty chuckle from Pops, whereas Rockstar pumped a fist into the air.

“YES! He remembers!”

“Shut it, Marine.” The Marine Lieutenant barked. “You can catch up later, but right now, I believe we were promised some answers.”

John nodded. “And you’ll get them, but I’d rather only explain everything once.”

The Lieutenant grunted, and gestured for John to follow him back to the helicopter.

The walk was short, and soon John was standing alongside the Lieutenant and Sergeant Major in front of a large group of men (and one woman), consisting of Marines, a Naval Corpsman, two Marine pilots, and an Air Force Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC for short).

In short order, Pops introduced him to the squad. “You’ll remember the Boss and Doc.” One of the older Marines, a Gunnery Sergeant, nodded at John and the Corpsman, Petty Officer 3rd Class, waved. “That’s Annie, DJ, and Shadow.” The Sergeant Major pointed at the female Staff Sergeant, a Private First Class with an iPod clipped to his arm, and a Corporal wearing sunglasses. “You already met Rockstar. Sparky, Thing 1, and Thing 2 are in the back.” A finger was pointed at the Air Force JTAC, a Staff Sergeant, and the two pilots, both 2nd Lieutenants. “I’m Pops, and this is Snake.” A thumb jab at himself and at the Lieutenant standing next to him. “Any questions?”

John looked over the group in front of him, as well as the helicopter behind them. “Yeah, I got two. First, is that bird functional?” He gestured at the Blackhawk.

“One of the wheels is flat, and the landing gear are a bit bent, but she’s good to go.” One of the pilots spoke up.

“Excellent! You guys did better than me. I landed in an apple orchard. Smashed my plane to bits and put me in the hospital because I broke my everything." This brought out a few laughs.

"Second question, and I mean no disrespect, but I thought females weren’t allowed in combat?”

This time, Annie spoke up. “It’s a recent change, sir. Something about ‘squad morale’ or some bullshit. All I know is that I get to shoot stuff.” A chorus of Oohrah’s was heard.

John shrugged. “Fine by me.”

Pops took this as his cue to continue on. “Alright, ladies! Three of you should remember the man standing in front of you!” Pops yelled, while gesturing at John. “For the rest of you, this here is 1st Lieutenant John Killinger of our beloved Air Force!” John smirked and slowly shook his head. “He is here to brief us on our current predicament!”

John took a step forward and addressed the group. “Alright, I’m going to be blunt and cut straight to the point. You are no longer on the planet Earth, nor are you even in the same dimension.” As expected, he was met with looks of disbelief.

“Bullshit!” Rockstar yelled, causing everybody assembled to wince.

John frowned. “I shit you not.” Now for the question. “By a show of hands, who here has heard of the TV show, ‘My Little Pony’?”

Tentatively, all but a few raised their hands.

"Well-"

“BULL! SHIT!”

Unfortunately for him, Rockstar’s outburst brought him into the sights of the Gunnery Sergeant, Boss, who grabbed the young Marine’s collar and pulled him into the main cabin of the helicopter, promptly slamming the sliding doors shut.

Regardless, John continued addressing the soldiers.

(Meanwhile, inside the Blackhawk)

“LANCE CORPORAL MERRICK! WHAT IS YOUR MAJOR MALFUNCTION!”

“I- uh-“

“UM! UH! UM! SPEAK!!!”

“Sir, I am just... trying to figure out what is going on.”

“BY YELLING 'BULLSHIT' WHILE A SUPERIOR OFFICER IS SPEAKING!? YOU MUST BE OUT OF YOUR GOD-DAMNED MIND! YOU NEVER INTERRUPT A SUPERIOR OFFICER WHEN HE IS SPEAKING! I DON’T CARE IF A BUS FULL OF BABIES IS ABOUT TO FALL OFF A MOUNTAIN! YOU WAIT UNTIL HE IS FINISHED!”

“YES, GUNNERY SERGEANT.”

"THAT MAN SAVED YOUR WORTHLESS ASS, AS WELL AS MINE! THE LEAST YOU COULD DO WOULD BE TO GIVE THAT MAN ENOUGH RESPECT TO NOT INTERRUPT HIM WHEN HE IS TALKING! YOU ARE NOW ON MY SHIT-LIST LANCE CORPORAL! DO YOU KNOW WHAT THAT MEANS!?"

"Y-YES, GUNNERY SERGEANT."

"I DON'T CARE, I'M GOING TO TELL YOU ANYWAY! IT MEANS YOU GET TO TRY OUT MY NEW PT SCHEDULE! STARTING AT THE END OF THE LIEUTENANT'S BRIEF! DO YOU GET ME!?"

"YES, GUNNERY SERGEANT!"

“OUT-FUCKING-STANDING! NOW GET YOUR SORRY ASS OUT OF THIS HELICOPTER AND BACK IN LINE!”

“AYE, GUNNERY SERGEANT!”

“So, if I understand you correctly, sir, we flew through a worm-hole that shit us out into a children’s television show?”

The side door of the Blackhawk slid open and a visibly paled Rockstar stumbled out, closely followed by an extremely pissed off Gunnery Sergeant. John raised an eyebrow at the Sergeant, who merely shook his head. The helicopter wasn't exactly soundproof.

"Yeah, that about sums it up."

There was a long pause before anyone spoke.

"How do we know that you're not lying?"

There it was. The question that he'd been waiting for since he stepped off the airship. "Well, in order to answer that, I'm going to have ask you all to remove your weapons and place them in the Blackhawk."

Snake stepped forward. "Belay that! I don't care if your pay-grade is higher than mine, my Marines are not relinquishing their weapons."

John sighed. He'd hoped that there wouldn't be any issues, but lady luck, it seemed, wasn't shining in his favor in that regard. "I was not asking because I felt like it. I was asking for your own safety, and the safety of who I'm going to bring out of that airship. However, I'm not asking anymore, I'm telling. All weapons, in the helicopter, now. Everything from knives to hand grenades."

Many of the soldiers present were starting to shift nervously as the two Lieutenants argued.

"I WILL NOT-"

Snake was cut off by the sound of metal clattering on the floor of the helicopter.

Everyone looked over to see Pops, Boss, Rockstar, and Doc divulging themselves of weaponry.

After seeing their fellow Marines relinquishing their arms, the rest of the soldiers began following suit. In short order, everyone was weapon-less... except one.

"You cannot make me give up my weapons!"

John gripped his own rifle tighter. "If you will not give them up, then I will have them forcibly removed."

"You have no righ-"

John was tired of the games, so he raised his weapon and sighted the Lieutenant's chest. "By the order of the Equestrian Royal Guard, if you do not comply, you will be placed under arrest!"

A tense silence filled the air, only to be broken after a few moments by the Sergeant Major.

"You'd best do what he says."

If expressions could kill, the Lieutenant's glare would have just melted the Sergeant's face off.

However, after a moment, the Lieutenant very slowly, and reluctantly, dropped his gear, which was collected and placed in the Blackhawk.

Without taking his sights off the Lieutenant, John pulled out his radio.

"Ma-am, it's time. If you could, can you bring a few knights with you? I have an uncooperative subject that needs to be restrained."

There was a short pause before the radio crackled to life.

"Very well. Miss Dash would like us to ask you if she could come along as well. She is becoming restless."

John rolled his eyes. Typical Rainbow Dash. "... Fine. But make sure she’s prepared to answer any questions."

Within seconds, he heard the doors to the airship slide open, and every single person in front of him, with the exception of one or two, gawked at what came running up behind him.

"Is this the one?"

John glanced down and saw Shining Armor, flanked by two knights, standing next to him. "Yes, sir."

The knights split away and cut off any escape routes while Shining cautiously approached the Marine.

"You are to cease and desist all hostilities immediately!"

"Or what!? You'll bite my ass? Fuck you!"

Shining took a step back and charged his magic. "Get on the ground and place your hooves behind your head!"

The Marine let out a bark of laughter. "Hooves!? I don't have hooves, dumb-shit! I ought to pound your puny ass into glue!" He took a step forward and balled his fists.

Needless to say, Shining wasn't impressed. "BOLTER! BOLTER! BOLTER!" He let loose the magic he had been charging and struck the Lieutenant square in the chest, causing him to drop to the ground and shake violently like he was struck by a Taser. The knights quickly pounced on him, securing his limbs with rope.

After making sure that the Marine was restrained, Shining Armor called an all-clear and John lowered his rifle.

"Lieutenant Adam Phillips, you are relieved of command, effective immediately. Sergeant Major Fredericks, you are now in charge." Turning to the rest of the soldiers standing in front of him, John let out a heavy sigh. "I'm sorry you all had to see that."

Dumbstruck would be an accurate term to describe the expressions on everyone’s face. The real damage was done, however, when Princess Luna and Rainbow Dash trotted up to the group and stood beside Shining Armor

“Gentlemen, I would like to introduce you to Princess Luna, Co-Ruler of Equestria; Captain Shining Armor, Captain of the Royal Guard and my Commanding Officer; and Miss Rainbow Dash, Element of Loyalty and, as of right now, impromptu Ambassador for the Equestrian people.”

The jaws hit the floor.

“.......”
“But... that’s not-“
“Probably shouldn’t have eaten that MRE.”
“Uhhhhh-“
“There isn’t even wind!”
“What the hell?”
“Yep, I’m dead.”

Of course, Rainbow had to add her two cents as well.

“Yeah, it’s hard not to gawk at my awesomeness!”

John’s hand said hello to his face.

“Alright! Quiet down!” John raised his voice, silencing everyone present. “Now, if anyone has any questions for the Princess, now’s the time to ask, but, for the sake of time, let’s stick to general topics. We can get into the smaller stuff later.”

Pops stepped forward. “Ma-am, Sergeant Major Fredericks, I have two questions.”

Luna nodded. “We will answer to the best of our abilities.”

The Sergeant Major raised an eyebrow, but continued. “First, is there any way to get us back home?”

Luna surveyed the group of soldiers standing in front of her, all giving her their rapt attention. She slowly shook her head. “Alas, we have, so far, found no way of returning you back to your home planet. However, our best scientists have been working on a solution, but little progress has been made.”

Pops removed his helmet and ran a hand through his slightly balding hair. “So we’re stuck here.” The Princess nodded. “Well, then, what happens now?”

“For now, you all shall return to Ponyville with us, where we will procure lodging for you and so my sister’s student can answer any further questions you have. When you have deemed yourselves ready, you shall be summoned to Canterlot to determine your future in this land.”

The Marine cast a questioning glance at John, who understood what the Princess meant.

“She just wants to ask everyone a question.”

“Well, why not ask it right now?” Rockstar piped up from the back of the group.

Luna looked over the young Marine. “Because you are not yet ready for it.”

“Well, that’s bull-“

The Gunnery Sergeant seemed to materialize out of thin air.

“PT STARTS NOW!” Boss roared. “BRING ME A LEAF FROM THAT TREE!” He pointed at a lone oak tree about a half mile away. “YOU HAVE THREE MINUTES! MOVE YOUR ASS!”

The Lance Corporal uttered an exasperated expletive before sprinting off toward the tree.

Boss turned to the Princess. “My apologies, ma-am. Gunnery Sergeant Johnson.”

Luna regarded the Marine with an amused expression. “It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. We assume it was you that we heard earlier?”

“That is a correct assumption, your highness.”

“It would seem that Captain Spitfire may have some competition. Our ears are still ringing from our last visit to the Academy.” This brought a small chuckle from the two knights.

The Gunnery Sergeant noticed that his charge was rapidly approaching.

“If you’ll excuse me for one moment, ma-am.” Luna nodded as Rockstar came running up, panting heavily and holding up a leaf to the Sergeant. “THAT’S A NICE LEAF, LANCE CORPORAL!”

“Thank you, *pant* sir!”

“IN FACT, IT’S SO NICE, I WANT ANOTHER ONE! YOU HAVE TWO MINUTES!”

The young Marine swore again as he peeled out toward the tree, stumbling and almost falling flat on his face.

Luna barely contained a squeal of glee. “Oh most wondrous! We can’t wait to take you to the Academy. The cadets shall be in for a surprise, don’t you agree Captain?”

Shining Armor chuckled. “I’m actually supposed to head over there next week for an inspection. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little curious to see how they’d react.”

“Indeed. We will be sure to-“ The Princess was cutoff as a letter appeared in front of her in a poof of green smoke, much to the surprise of the gathered Marines. Plucking the letter out of the air and scanning through it, her grin slowly turned into a frown. “Hmm... It seems that Ponyville is having a rather unfortunate string of bad luck, as of late.”

Rainbow, who had been examining the Blackhawk since she clapped eyes on it, spoke up, sounding worried. “What is it, Princess? What happened?”

“Another bucking Manticore has stumbled across the poor town.” The knight’s, Shining Armor, and Rainbow stared slack-jawed at the Princess’ use of profanity.

“Aw shit, another one?” John couldn’t believe what he was hearing.

“Sorry to intrude, but mind filling us in, sir?” Pops asked John.

“Well, the town I’m living in was attacked last night by three Manticore, which are big, have the body of a lion, tail of a scorpion, and small wing things but they can’t fly. Short version, they killed or injured a lot of ponies, guards and civvies alike, set some buildings on fire, and, for lack of a better term, fucked shit up. We’re still in the process of cleaning up, so an attack now is just a kick to the balls while we’re down.”

Boss raised an eyebrow and glanced at Pops, who wordlessly nodded at the Gunnery Sergeant.

“Marines! Gear up and mount up! Things, get that bird in the air! LANCE CORPORAL, GET YOUR ASS BACK HERE!” The Gunny's voice boomed out, causing the Marines to jump into action.

The Sergeant Major turned to John. “It seems like you could use some help.”